Tikka .222 rebarrel?

[BelMali]

I have a Tikka T3 lite in .222

I'm thinking about having it rebarreled in...... .222

I fancy a slightly heavier and longer 22" vs factory lite 20" barrel profile. I can't handload so I'm left with the limited factory offerings available, which is fine, what Ive used so far, Hornady, Remington and Lapua, have all been accurate enough.

I'm just wondering if I was to rebarrel it, should I go for a slightly faster twist rate? Factory barrel is 1:14", would 1:12" be a btter option?

 

[Donkey Basher]

If I ever get mine rebarrelled I’ll go for 1:12 twist so I know it’ll have a better chance of handling heavier cup & core bullets & perhaps also non-lead too…

 

[Cyres]

Why? sub 6mm bullets not effected by the proposed lead ban

D

 

[1894]

12 gives leeway for boat tail 55s and 60s without any downside

 

[BelMali]

Why? sub 6mm bullets not effected by the proposed lead ban

D

Why do I want to rebarrel???

 

[andyk]

I don’t see what downside there would be, and you’ve got a bit more versatility. I wouldn’t put a 1:14 on a 22CF out of choice, and would use 1:12 as a minimum.

 

[BelMali]

I don’t see what downside there would be, and you’ve got a bit more versatility. I wouldn’t put a 1:14 on a 22CF out of choice, and would use 1:12 as a minimum.

Well thats what I was thinking as far as a slightly faster twist rate. As far as 1:12 as a minimum, I can't handload so I wouldn't want to go too fast with the twist rate as Im limited to factory loads.

 

[takbok]

@BelMali surely you'd be better off going with a 223 for better ammo choice since you can't reload there?

I would think that there's not much point in changing twist to 1:12 if 222 factory ammo doesn't need it.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Why? sub 6mm bullets not effected by the proposed lead ban

D

So?

The OP doesn't reload & getting factory 222 isn’t as easy as it used to be & doubtless once non-lead becomes the mainstay of factory offerings I’d wager it’ll get even harder!

 

[BelMali]

@BelMali surely you'd be better off going with a 223 for better ammo choice since you can't reload there?

Honestly yes I probably would, but .222 ammo is available theres just a limited selection is all, and you kind of have to snap up whats available once its in stock

 

[kenbro]

Honestly yes I probably would, but .222 ammo is available theres just a limited selection is all, and you kind of have to snap up whats available once its in stock

Do you not know anyone nearby who you could trust to reload for you?
Unless your addicted to the Twipple 2, as Takbok says, makes sense to go for a 223.

KB.

 

[BelMali]

Do you not know anyone nearby who you could trust to reload for you?
Unless your addicted to the Twipple 2, as Takbok says, makes sense to go for a 223.

KB.

It's not that I can't reload for myself, we're not allowed to here in Ireland, unless you are a member of 1 specific range, which I'm not, and you have to reload at that range.

I suppose my thinking is with a custom barrel and a faster twist rate my Tikka would be more accurate with the 50 and 55gr loads. Factory barrel is sub moa with Sako 40gr var but I can't seem to find any the last while

Just to be clear the rifle shoots all the loads I can buy good enough for mr fox, just maybe I am expecting too much

 

[kenbro]

It's not that I can't reload for myself, we're not allowed to here in Ireland, unless you are a member of 1 specific range, which I'm not, and you have to reload at that range.

I suppose my thinking is with a custom barrel and a faster twist rate my Tikka would be more accurate with the 50 and 55gr loads. Factory barrel is sub moa with Sako 40gr var but I can't seem to find any the last while

Just to be clear the rifle shoots all the loads I can buy good enough for mr fox, just maybe I am expecting too much

Your last sentence chimes.
KB.

 

[Cottis]

I have a 1 in 10 twist barrel on my .222rem. It seems to shoot literally anything but my preference is 53gn Noslers which it shoots very well (it did a 1 inch group at 262yds the other day). 40gn-60gn it has no issue with. I expect it would shoot heavier but I have no need to try that, as I would just use a different rifle if I wanted more punch.

I don't think you will lose out by going faster twist. It will future proof the gun should changes happen years down the line. Yes it sounds like lead will continue to be allowed in .224 calibre but for how long? 1 in 10 twist will allow you to shoot longer bullets in the 50-55gn sort of range if you were forced to use copper or some other alternative less dense material. At the same time, it will still shoot 40gn bullets as well unless they are super super thin jackets and you really chuck them quickly but that is unlikely if you are buying factory.

 

[harrygrey382]

I’m with Cottis - there’re no cons in going faster. You may not need it right now but 1:10 is more future proof and no down sides. I’ve been idly considering rebarreling my Mauser 4000 to 1:8 as I want to be able to use the latest premium heavy .224 bullets for my sons to shoot fallow and goats. Problem is the orignal 1:12 barrel is doing nothing wrong and Sierra 55gr SPBT seem to do very well.

1:14 would be madness though

 

[BE Precision]

i've got a stainless varmint factory takeoff barrel here in very good condition

 

[BelMali]

i've got a stainless varmint factory takeoff barrel here in very good condition

You have a DM

 

[Sash]

I (or, rather, Neil McKillop) rebarrelled my CZ527 in .222.
The new Bartlein barrel is a 1:12", and groups beautifully.
I had pretty poor grouping with some 55gr bullets with the previous barrel - problem solved now!

 

[BelMali]

Don't want to clog up the thread by replying to each ind post after my last reply now but @kenbro @Cottis @harrygrey382 and @Sash I appreciate all the feedback.

I suppose my options are rebarrel in .222, hope the faster twist does the job and see what the factory offerings perform or rebarrel in .223 because of the wide availability of ammo.

Tbh either option will be cheaper than trading and subbing the .222 for a .223